Light Meter for Indoor sports

[abbypanda]

What is a good light meter for indoor sports? I need to get one today. I asked to take pics at a big martial arts tourny this weekend for practice for myself but they asked me to take the whole event so they have pics to share as well.

I'm excited for the opportunity, do not plan to sell the pics nor will I get paid. However I'd like to do a good job as a foot in the door to do paid work later.

[xchangx]

Why not just use the meter in your camera?

[DC Fan]

Originally Posted by abbypanda

What is a good light meter for indoor sports? I need to get one today. I asked to take pics at a big martial arts tourny this weekend for practice for myself but they asked me to take the whole event so they have pics to share as well.

I'm excited for the opportunity, do not plan to sell the pics nor will I get paid. However I'd like to do a good job as a foot in the door to do paid work later.

Here'sa meter that is a good value.

[abbypanda]

Xchangx,
I posted some Pics on the cc forum here. Some folks said exposure / wb was ok some said it was off.
I'm still learning and my camera said it was good but folks Said it was off. I just want to do my best to try to cover options.

What metering mode do u all use for indoor sports?
Also what focus choice? Auto focus expansion?

[DC Fan]

Originally Posted by abbypanda

Xchangx,
I posted some Pics on the cc forum here. Some folks said exposure / wb was ok some said it was off.
I'm still learning and my camera said it was good but folks Said it was off. I just want to do my best to try to cover options.

What metering mode do u all use for indoor sports?
Also what focus choice? Auto focus expansion?

he standard metering method method using a[/i][/u] You measure the amount of light falling in the area where the action will tak place. Incident metering was used at this

[gonzogolf]

If the light is consistent, just meter off of a gray card and use Manual mode. Use servo mode. If you are just now learning your camera you are probably in over your head.

[abbypanda]

Thanks for the replies. I use servo and manual, have done pics for quite some time with my camera, but I don't feel fully comfortable with manual yet. In the past for these events I used AV. Honestly those came out fine I think. Recently I tried manual in the gym and thats what I'm trying to improve.

I just meant to imply that I am willing and open to suggestion and don't consider myself a master, but I don't feel like I'm in over my head if Im working for free either for the experience. They saw my site of photos of tournys over the past few years so if they asked me to cover, they prob felt comfortable with quality of work. I just want to get better and better, and would rather have someone say I did a great job for free than a crappy job for pay.

Gonzo, it will be in a college gymnasium.

DC your link was broken. I appreciate your replies.

Any thoughts on which focus to use. I read and have tried all: single point, expansion, zone, etc. Anyone have any thoughts as to which they prefer for something like wrestling? I used the zone expansion recently.

Maybe I'm just too worried about it, idk. I just like reading others opinions, techniques, etc. Thank you for your help everyone.

[JeffreyG]

I use M mode, but here is how I meter (and I typically do not bother with an incident meter anymore).

Enter the gym, set the lens wide open, set the shutter to 1/640 or so and pick whatever ISO you think will be right (start with 3200 or 6400).

Take a photo of somebody with white in their clothing (referees are good, white jerseys are good) and then check the resulting image and histogram. What you should do is increase the ISO level until the white parts of the clothing start to blow out (blinkies) and then cut back 1/3 stop.

You should have you picture style set to neutral and shoot RAW to make this work best, but this will tell you when you are running out of headroom on the exposure, which is where you want to be.

Then shoot the whole game with this setting in M mode.

[abbypanda]

Thank you Jeffery, This is great information I appreciate this so much, especially the stuff about the metering. I can meter off one of their uniforms for sure.
I have been shooting raw but I think I used faithful, I will switch to neutral. My last set had too much contrast I thought, possibly bc it was not on neutral.
Thank you again.

[DC Fan]

A example of how incident metering with a handheld meter can be useful at anindoor event in a situation where a camera's built in light metering can be fooled.

Note the illuminated advertising sign such as these.common at basketball courts in this area, The signs are brighter than the ambient backgrounds and camera's built in light meterwill exposeforthe sign. Inconditions such such as these it's more effective to use an incident meter reading setting.Before someone asks, you can't always keep these items out of the frame at real games Often the cheerleaders get the best locations.
Camera Maker: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 60D
Lens: 70-200mm
Image Date: 2012-01-13 20:03:12 (no TZ)
Focal Length: 154.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure Time: 0.0020 s (1/500)
ISO equiv: 3200
Exposure Bias: none
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Manual
Flash Fired: No (enforced)
Orientation: Normal
Color Space: sRGB
Software: Imagenomic Noiseware

[xchangx]

If you are shooting indoors with constant lighting, what I normally do is point my camera at the ground and meter off of that in Manual. Then take some shots of various people on the court (assuming basketball) and make sure they are properly exposed adjusting SS/ISO if needed.

DCFan: If you are shooting in manual the lighted signs shouldn't matter. Only if you are shooting Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority (or the green box).

[abbypanda]

Thanks again guys.
I tried some shots using the info Jeffery posted, thank you for that, I felt the shots were better than what I was doing.
I am spending some time reading up on the light meter I got yesterday and practicing.

A few questions though:
In regards to taking the meter reading off the ground... well in my case that would be a mat. There's barriers behind me which cast a shadow with the banners in front and people hovering over them. The mats are more illuminated in the center b/c less congestion out there (only 2 ppl and a ref), although they arent particularly illuminated more by light (just a gymnasium nothing special). So should I take the reading off the center where the fighters will be? Would this be the case if I meter off a white uniform?
And if I use my light meter should I take a meter reading from the center of the mat before it starts or just on the edge where I'm sitting?

I'm about to take more shots during class tonight for practice. I'll post some of them.

Thinking I'll use the recommendations I got here, and mostly focus point expansion with evaluative metering.
Thanks for the replies and examples. I appreciate it!

[abbypanda]

Here's a few from today/ tonight in 2 different locations, one afternoon and one evening. Did not edit at all except a bit of noise reduction in a few. Nothing else. Only focused on getting settings right, not composition, etc. Spent a lot of time taking shots, checking histogram and trying to do better in each situation. I felt they were underexposed at 2000, but they have a lot of noise at 3200 (last 2). I guess I have to learn how to best pp that next. First one was at 320 I believe. Also did not use IS. No one posed for them, first one he was getting ready to train/ taping fingers, second is girl and guy grappling live, and third is technique demonstration. Any critique on exposure is welcome. Will try again tomorrow. Sunday is the day.





I have a lot of probs with 2 blue suits!

[xchangx]

What mode are you shooting in? Metering off the mat would be just a starting point in getting your exposure right. You should be shooting in Manual

[abbypanda]

Yes I"m shooting in Manual. All those 3 I posted were manual.